Between the Covers

Hardcover. Oblong quarto. Measuring 11" x 8". Black leather over paper boards with gilt decorations stamped on the front board. Contains 194 black and white gelatin silver photographs measuring between 2.5" x 3.5" and 3.5" x 4.5", with captions. Very good photo album with edgewear and some rubbing with near fine photographs.

A photo album kept by British officer, Alan Dudley while he was serving alongside the Bengal Engineer Group, also called the "King George V's Bengal Sappers and Miners Group" in India during World War II. The photos are well composed and show group photos of men in uniform throughout Bombay and Kashmir. One section shows them surveying a demolition site on the Soan River with officers walking through the rubble and soldiers seated by the river eating. Another section shows the on-base wedding of Captain Anwar Khan with photos of the newlyweds in flower garlands, camel transport, and a large breakfast for the guests. Some of the photos have extensive captions such as "Sunset from the hill of the temple near Poona - the hill in the left distance is a famous Maratta [sic] fort, where the Maratta King held out for weeks against the British. He built underground water tanks in the rock, which contain crystal clear water to this day." Included in the photos are images of leisure activities such as horse races, as well as a number of photos with a bear cub in captivity. The landscape of India can be seen throughout with snow covered mountains, rivers, temples, and a visit to Fatehpur Sikri as well as local people and Indian soldiers. Soldiers are seen carrying out orders on the banks of rivers and in candid photos throughout. The last few pages show a trip to Kashmir with photos from a hike, swimming, and surrounding villages.

An extensive collection of a soldier's amateur photography documenting the Indian theater of war in World War II.

Item #401555